Back in high school, Jack Cunningham had everything going for him. A basketball phenom, he could have punched his ticket to college or even the pros, but, instead, he chose to walk away from the game, forfeiting his future. Jack’s glory days are long gone…but, as it turns out, not forgotten. Years later, he gets the chance to take back his life when he is asked to coach the struggling basketball team at his alma mater. Jack reluctantly accepts, surprising no one more than himself, and as the boys start to come together as a team and win, he may get his last shot at redemption. Written by Warner Bros
Now let’s talk about the movie… That’s why we are here, right?
This was such a powerful script. If you are looking at this film as a sports film, it holds up. The story surrounding the basketball scenes are really good. It’s an underdog story where the worst team in the league ends up winning it all. I loved that.
If you are looking at this film for the human, emotional aspect… WOW! The dramatic aspects of this script along with the truly heartfelt acting take the movie beyond just good and make it a great film.
Character(s)/Acting: ★★★★★
The Way Back stars Ben Affleck and if I’m being 100% honest, I’ve never been a huge fan of his. I liked him in Good Will Hunting and he was ok in Gone Girl and a few other movies. Although, for the most part, he is just ok. He tends to play the same character in everything he is in. I guess that is why I was so surprised when I watched this movie. Ben Affleck gives us an AMAZING performance. It is the best acting I’ve ever seen him do. The emotion he puts into the role is so beautifully devastating and real. Knowing that he has suffered from addiction in his real life, I can only imagine that some of these scenes had to be extremely hard for him to do.
Cinematography ★★★★★
I have nothing bad or good to say about the cinematography. I think that because the script was so good and the acting was even better, I didn’t notice the cinematography, but that means it was also good enough not to be noticed in any negative ways. So, it gets five stars too.
FUN FACTS:
* The movie's original title was 'The Has-Been'.
* Like Jack, Ben Affleck has also struggled with alcoholism.
MY FAVORITE QUOTE:
“You want to know why they’re leaving you open? It’s because they don’t think you can hit the ocean from the beach.” ~ Jack Cunningham
TO SUM IT UP:
Four little words say it all, “I LOVED THIS FILM!”
Have you seen The Way Back yet? If so, let me know your thoughts in the comments below. If not, I highly recommend seeing it for yourself and forming your own opinion.
On highways across America, a tribe of people called The True Knot travel in search of sustenance. They look harmless-mostly old, lots of polyester, and married to their RVs. But as Dan Torrance knows, and tween Abra Stone learns, The True Knot are quasi-immortal, living off the “steam” that children with the “shining” produce when they are slowly tortured to death. Haunted by the inhabitants of the Overlook Hotel where he spent one horrific childhood year, Dan has been drifting for decades, desperate to shed his father’s legacy of despair, alcoholism, and violence. Finally, he settles in a New Hampshire town, an AA community that sustains him, and a job at a nursing home where his remnant “shining” power provides the crucial final comfort to the dying. Aided by a prescient cat, he becomes “Doctor Sleep.” Then Dan meets the evanescent Abra Stone, and it is her spectacular gift, the brightest shining ever seen, that reignites Dan’s own demons and summons him to a battle for Abra’s soul… Written by Stephen King
Now let’s talk about the movie… That’s why we are here, right?
Ok, for the most part, I really enjoyed this movie. FOR THE MOST PART. Now, if you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know that Stephen King is my favorite author. However, I have not yet read Doctor Sleep, so I can’t say how well the movie follows the book.
With that said, I will just speak to the movie on its own.
The scene where ‘baseball boy’ is killed… NO, JUST NO!!! There was no need for the director to show that scene in such detail. It was horrific. It was grotesque. It was over the top and made me sick to my stomach. To be honest, I almost turned the movie off I was so disgusted by the fact that the director would show the scene in that way when he clearly had other options.
Cinematography ★★★★
The cinematography was good. There were a number of really cool shots, interesting angles, and zoom features that made caught my eyes. Very artistic in ways that I didn’t expect.
Character(s)/Acting: ★★★★
I felt like Ewan McGregor did a great job as Danny. I’ve always enjoyed him as an actor and thought he was perfectly cast for this role.
Rebecca Ferguson was creepy and ethereal all at the same time. Right from her first scene you feel drawn to her character, but yet there is a tugging feeling that screams DANGER – DANGER – DANGER in your mind.
A huge shout out to Jacob Tremblay who played Bradley Trevor (baseball boy). Although it was my least favorite scene in the whole movie (not because of the acting but because of the act), Jacob gave a fantastic performance. No child should ever experience what his character went through and personally, I believe, not child actor should ever have to experience it either. It was violent in a way that should never have been scene, but he did a wonderful job and get a truly spectacular performance.
FUN FACTS:
* Danny Lloyd, who played the character Danny Torrance in The Shining, makes a cameo in this movie at the baseball game and is listed in the credits as “Spectator.”
* Most elements from The Shining (1980) were recreated with duplicate sets and lookalike actors, though three shots were reused: the aerial shot of the water and the island and the two shots after it of the car driving on the mountain road. The shots were degrained, recolored as day-for-night, and had snow digitally added.
* Mike Flanagan painstakingly recreated the sets of the Overlook hotel from blueprints acquired from Stanley Kubrick's estate.
MY FAVORITE QUOTE:
“Our beliefs don’t make us better people. Our actions make us better people.” ~ Danny Torrance
“We’re all dying. The world’s just one big hospice with fresh air.” ~ Danny Torrance
TO SUM IT UP:
Would I watch it again? Probably not. Will I read the book? Absolutely.
Have you seen Doctor Sleep yet? If so, let me know your thoughts in the comments below. If not, I highly recommend seeing it for yourself and forming your own opinion.
A twisted tale told by Harley Quinn herself, when Gotham’s most nefariously narcissistic villain, Roman Sionis, and his zealous right-hand, Zsasz, put a target on a young girl named Cass, the city is turned upside down looking for her. Harley, Huntress, Black Canary and Renee Montoya’s paths collide, and the unlikely foursome have no choice but to team up to take Roman down.
Now let’s talk about the movie… That’s why we are here, right?
I’m not a comic reader, so I can’t speak to the accuracy of the character’s story/timeline, but I did like this story. I thought the character of Harley Quinn, which I had not been introduced to before was very interesting. I thought that the script really was successful at giving her a complete backstory with clear intent as to why she does the things she does and why she will continue to be the criminal she is.
Cinematography ★★★★
There were some great camera shots, especially in the beginning of the film when Harley is running from everyone who now wants her dead. I think the cinematography during that scene as well as the fight scene in the fun house was particularly well done.
Character(s)/Acting: ★★★★
FUN! FUN! FUN! The lead actresses in this film seemed like they were having the time of their lives. They dove into their roles, head first, and didn’t look back. I thought they all did a great job brining live to these over the top, comic book characters.
FUN FACTS:
* Jurnee Smollett-Bell does all of her own singing in the film.
* When Harley Quinn is leaving the police precinct she points to a wanted poster and says, "Hey, I know that guy!". The wanted poster is that of Captain Boomerang with whom she worked with in Suicide Squad (2016).
* The egg sandwich that is made for Harley Quinn is not made with chicken eggs, but instead with duck eggs because Margot Robbie is allergic to chicken egg white (she gets migraines from them).
MY FAVORITE QUOTE:
“You know what they say: behind every successful man is a badass broad.” ~ Harley Quinn
TO SUM IT UP:
I definatly think Birds of Prey is worth seeing. Especially now, when we are all pretty much locked in our houses trying to avoid COVID-19. So, renting it online, pop some popcorn, and enjoy a night in!
Have you seen Birds of Prey yet? If so, let me know your thoughts in the comments below. If not, like I always say, I highly recommend seeing it for yourself and forming your own opinion.
A retiring assassin, Henry Brogan, finds himself pursued by a mysterious killer that can predict his every move. Discovering that he’s being hunted by a younger clone of himself, Henry needs to find out why he’s being targeted and who the creator is. ~ Written by Bixy Gello
Now let’s talk about the movie… That’s why we are here, right?
I loved this story. The whole concept of the assassin, created as a clone, sent to kill the man he was created after. WOW! The script was fantastic, fun, and just packed with action. There were just enough twists and turns to keep me on the edge of my seat. I loved it!
Cinematography ★★★★★
With all the action shots, this one could have tanked, but it was great. There were some beautiful shots, but that isn’t really what you watch a movie like this for. For me, it was all about the action and the fight sequences and the camera work in these scenes was magically. As a viewer, you really feel like you’re right there in the thick of it.
Character(s)/Acting: ★★★★★
This film features an amazing cast. With Will Smith, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen, and Benedict Wong… WOW! They were all fantastic. I loved every second and was sucked in from the very beginning. Usually, when I watch super stars like Will Smith, my mind wanders and I think about other roles they’ve played. Not with this film. Will Smith instantly became Henry Brogan and there was no looking back.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead was perfect as Danny. She was completely natural as the touch girl but also had a very appealing innocence to her. I thought she did a great job and the subtle chemistry between her character and Will Smith’s character was charming.
Computer Graphics (CG): ★★★★
Sure, you can tell the Will Smith clone is CG… of course he is, Will Smith can’t be two different ages at the same time. However, I think they did a fantastic job of making him look as real as possible. As with all CG characters, I find the mouths never are quite natural, but it didn’t distract from the film at all.
FUN FACTS:
* The original script was written for Clint Eastwood.
* Johnny Depp turned down the film in 2012.
* From 2003 to 2010 Nicolas Cage was attached to this project, but he convinced Jerry Bruckheimer to work on The Sorcerer's Apprentice instead.
MY FAVORITE QUOTES:
“You can tell me now or you can tell me in five minutes without all your teeth.” ~ Danny Zakarweski
TO SUM IT UP:
WATCH THIS FILM!!! Seriously, if you haven’t seen Gemini Man, I highly recommend it, but don’t take my word for it, see it for yourself and form you own opinion.
Have you seen Gemini Man yet? If so, let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
THE INSTANT #1 BESTSELLER IS NOW AVAILABLE IN PAPERBACK!
FEATURED ON 60 MINUTES and FRESH AIR
“So surprising and moving and true that I became completely unstrung.” – The New York Times
Named a best book of the year by: TheNew York Times, NPR, TIME, Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe, Entertainment Weekly, Southern Living, Publishers Weekly, BookPage,A.V. Club, Bustle, BuzzFeed, Vulture, and many more!
JOHN GREEN, the acclaimed author of Looking for Alaska and The Fault in Our Stars, returns with a story of shattering, unflinching clarity in this brilliant novel of love, resilience, and the power of lifelong friendship.
Aza Holmes never intended to pursuethe disappearance of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. So together, they navigate the short distance and broad divides that separate them from Pickett’s son Davis.
Aza is trying. She is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts.
I knew nothing about this book, other than what was stated in the Amazon description, when I started reading it. It was a book club selection and probably one I wouldn’t have picked for myself otherwise. With that said, I am very glad I read it. I enjoyed it way more than I expected to.
STORY (★★★★★): In a nutshell, this story is about Aza Holmes, a young girl who suffers from a mental disorder that keeps her trapped in an inward spiral of her own thoughts, as she struggles to live a normal life. We get to see a glimpse into Aza’s life, watching/reading as she learns new things about herself and life, pushes her best friend away, finds love, looses love, and fights internally to decide what is right and what is wrong.
There is also a secondary storyline weaved throughout Aza’s story, that is of the missing billionaire. Ok, maybe it isn’t so much about him, but more about the two sons he has left behind; Davis and Noah. Davis, a long-lost friend of Aza’s and Noah, his little brother, are living in a mansion alone because their mother abandoned them when they were younger and their father has disappeared.
John Green is a wonderful storyteller. He knows his characters inside and out. The way he writes Aza is so detailed its as if he is literally in her head. Or, maybe it’s the other way around. The way he ties the two storylines together is seamless and beautiful. I think there could have been more about the missing dad, allowing us to relate to that family a bit more, but he gave the reader, and Aza, just enough to understand what the boys were going through and how to react.
WRITING (★★★★★): John Green’s writing style is fluid and easy. His chapters flow from one to the other with little, if any, breaks. Everything feels cohesive and complete. I think I read this one over a five-day period in about three sittings. I have no complaints about his style and would definitely pick up another book. In fact, I have my eyes on Paper Towns next.
CHARACTERS (★★★★): I loved the characters of Davis and Noah, honestly, I wanted to get to know them more. Aza, the lead character, was very well written, but I couldn’t relate to her in any way. Her anxieties and OCD behaviors were so realistic and well developed, but her constant negative self-talk and obsessions with her inner thoughts drove me a little crazy. Maybe that was the plan… maybe the author wanted the reader to feel a little trapped in Aza’s constant thought spiral, trapped so that we could experience what she feels. However, for me, her thought spirals were the reason I’d put the book and take a break. I needed a little time away from the negativity, second guessing, and often disturbing thoughts.
APPEARANCE (★★★★): I have the paperback, and it is a pretty simple cream-colored cover with large black lettering and an orange spiral. Again, I probably wouldn’t have picked this one up and read it, if it hadn’t been for book club, the cover just doesn’t really pull me in. The cover just doesn’t do justice to the story inside.
FAVORITE QUOTES:
“Your now is not your forever.”
“Anybody can look at you. It’s quite rare to find someone who sees the same world you see.”
“No one ever says good-bye unless they want to see you again.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
John Green (Photo from Author Amazon Page)
John Green is the award-winning, #1 bestselling author of Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines, Paper Towns, Will Grayson, Will Grayson (with David Levithan), and The Fault in Our Stars.
His many accolades include the Printz Medal, a Printz Honor, and the Edgar Award. John has twice been a finalist for the LA Times Book Prize and was selected by TIME magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.
With his brother, Hank, John is one half of the Vlogbrothers (youtube.com/vlogbrothers) and co-created the online educational series CrashCourse (youtube.com/crashcourse). You can join the millions who follow him on Twitter @johngreen and Instagram @johngreenwritesbooks or visit him online at johngreenbooks.com.
John lives with his family in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Also by John Green
Click on the cover image to read the book’s description and purchase your copy!
Check out my YouTube channel with movie and book video reviews below… and make sure you hit subscribe so you never miss a video.
This movie gives you exactly what you expect from the Fast & Furious franchise… fast paced action!
Writing/Story: ★★★
Honestly… the story isn’t all that great. In fact, there really isn’t a story. But, are you really expecting to see well thought out plots, twists, and drama? No. You’re going for the action, the car chases, and the gun fights and this movie gives you that in spades, with some minor “character” conversations sprinkled in for good measure.
If you’ve watched the previous Fast & Furious films, then you know what you’re getting into. The movie doesn’t make all that much sense, there really isn’t a point, but yet like the other films in this franchise, it managed to be entertaining which is why we continue to watch them. Plus, who doesn’t like watching Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham in an action film? It is what they do best.
I was surprised to find how much comedy was actually in this film. How much I actually laughed. There is one scene, probably my favorite out of the entire movie, where Hobbs and Shaw are in these two parallel hallways with just a window between them. They each have to deal with their own sets of challenged or obstacles to get to the end of the hall at which time they need to open a door using an optical reader. The whole time Shaw is fighting off bad guys and Hobbs is doing what he is doing and still they are participating in their personal competition of who is better… tougher… stronger… whatever and having a very clear non-verbal conversation. It was awesome.
Cinematography ★★★★
I commend the camera man in this one. With all the fight scenes, car chases, helicopter scenes, and just the over all craziness… his job had to be difficult. With so much action going on at one time it would be really easy to mess up the shots and make it feel to boxed in or way to spacious, but it was beautifully filmed allowing the audience to feel like they were right there in the action but yet far enough out to see the full picture.
Character(s)/Acting: ★★★★
I’ll admit the acting isn’t that great but the fight scenes are pretty awesome and both The Rock and Jason Statham are 100% invested in their characters and you truly believe them in these roles. Maybe they are just like this in real life or maybe it comes from years and years playing roles very similar to these.
The best thing about this film, for me, is how well Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham work together. Their on-screen chemistry is fantastic. The entire film is basically them exchanging insults and trying to one up each other. It’s a long pissing contest and it works to keep the audience entertained in between and even during the incredibly unrealistic yet enjoyable fight sequences.
Idris Elba plays a great supervillain.
This movie contains a number of really great cameos… meant to complement the film. I wont give them all away, but you just might spot Ryan Reynolds, Kevin Hart, and Helen Mirren just to name a few. This film doesn’t take itself seriously and it doesn’t expect the views to either. It just wants to provide entertainment, keep you on the edge of your seat, and make you cheer. It does that!
FUN FACT:
During the London car chase, as Brixton’s motorcycle changes shape to slide under the oncoming truck, we can clearly hear the iconic sound effect that is used during the transformations from the Transformers cartoons and films. If you haven’t seen the movie yet, listen for it… you’ll recognize it. (You can see the clip in my video review below.)
TO SUM IT UP:
This movie was way longer than it needed to be, which made it drag for me, but I still left entertained and wondering what type of movie they would come up with next.
Have you seen Hobbs & Shaw yet? If you have, let me know your thoughts in the comments below. If not, I recommend seeing it for yourself and forming your own opinion.
Check out my YouTube channel and the video review below… and make sure you hit subscribe so you never miss a video.
In Lowestoft UK, Jack Malik is a frustrated musician whose musical career is going nowhere despite the faith that his friend/manager Ellie Appleton has in him. However, on the night Jack decides to give up, the whole world is momentarily hit with a massive blackout that lasts just 12 seconds. During this strange event, Jack is hit by a bus. Upon regaining consciousness, Jack learns to his astonishment that he is apparently now the only one who knows the music of the Beatles. Realizing this improbable opportunity, Jack begins playing the music of the greatest rock band, claiming it as his own. It pays off quickly and Jack becomes a worldwide musical sensation. However, Jack finds himself drifting away from Ellie, only realizing his love for her when she has become intimidated by his success, which is dependent on a blatant plagiarization that no one could find out. Now, Jack must make a fundamental moral decision about his music to satisfy his conscience as he decides what he truly needs.
MY 2 CENTS:
This movie went under the radar for me. I never heard about it until I was scrolling through my movie apps one day. I had seen Bohemian Rhapsody (which I loved) and Rocketman (which I thought was just ok), but had never even heard of Yesterday. When I found out it was all about The Beatles… and that it takes place in modern day, I was intrigued.
Basically, it asks the question; What would you do if you were a musician and one day you woke up and The Beatles never existed? You’re the only one who knows who The Beatles are—or were—and you know all their songs. Would you play their music and claim it as your own?
That is exactly what Jack Malik, played by Himesh Patel, did in this film.
Writing/Story: ★★★★★
This film was fun and fast paced. The way the writer incorporated the music of The Beatles so smoothly really leads to the question, if The Beatles has started today… would their music have done as well? The music was obviously fantastic for anyone, like myself, who loves The Beatles. If you don’t like the music of The Beatles, don’t watch this film.
To be honest, I don’t typically enjoy musicals. I can watch them. I can appreciate the talent it takes to create them. However, I have a hard time suspending my disbelief. I didn’t have that problem with this film. Yesterday is different than other music centered films such as Rocketman and Bohemian Rhapsody. This one isn’t about The Beatles. It’s not about the band. At its core, Yesterday is a musical rom-com. It’s a romantic comedy, centered around a musician who just so happens to be the only guy in the world who knows the music of The Beatles and the girl who loves him.
Cinematography ★★★★★
I really enjoyed the cinematography throughout this film. The global blackout, the moment Jack gets hit by the bus, the concert scenes… and so many other scenes are visually stunning.
Character(s)/Acting: ★★★★
OK, first let me just say that the chemistry between Himesh Patel and Lily James is amazing! For that reason alone, this is a great film to go see.
Himesh Patel is a wonderfully talented actor and musician. He actually did all his own signing and playing in the movie. He is completely natural on screen and just seems to slide right into this role.
It was fun to see that Ed Sheeran has a memorable role, playing himself in the film, and honestly did a great job. He stated in an interview that The Beatles are his main inspiration for his songs.
In my opinion, the weakest role was that of Kate McKinnon. She plays the Hollywood producer that takes Jack on and jumpstarts his career. She was fine, but she played the same over the top role she plays in most films.
FUN FACTS:
Screenwriter Richard Curtis asked for Paul McCartney‘s approval of the title of the film. Sir Paul gave his blessing, but also suggested they call it “Scrambled Eggs” instead. This was a lighthearted reference to the fact that before coming up with the lyrics for Yesterday, Paul McCartney had the temporary lyrics of Scrambled Eggs as a placeholder for the song.
MY FAVORITE QUOTE:
“You want a good life? It’s not complicated. Tell the girl you love that you love her. And tell the truth to everyone whenever you can.” ~ John Lennon (Yesterday)
TO SUM IT UP:
This film is definitely worth the time!
Have you seen Yesterday? If you have, let me know your thoughts in the comments below. If not, I recommend seeing it for yourself and forming your own opinion.
Check out my YouTube channel and the video review below… and make sure you hit subscribe so you never miss a video.
Would you prefer to watch the video review, instead of reading it? Click on the video below!
I love receiving review requests. So, when a request to review The Shining came in, I jumped on it. Did I really need a reason to re-watch The Shining? No, but I’ll take it. 🙂
Jack
Torrance, a writer and former teacher, signs a contract to spend the winter,
with his family taking care of an old hotel with a violent past. Secluded in
the Colorado mountains for 5 months, Jack, who is recently sober, slowly gets
more violent and angry. His son, Danny, tries to use a special talent, the
“Shining”, to inform the people outside about what is going on in the
hotel.
MY 2 CENTS:
The
Shining has always been one of my favorite horror films. It is perfect in just
about every way. When The Shinning was first released, in 1980, it received
mixed reviews. People didn’t really know what to make of it.
The
fact that it was nominated for a Razzie award – honoring the worst of cinematic
under-achievements – just blows me away. In my opinion, it is pretty
perfect! Much like Citizen Kane or Schindler’s List, I can’t think of anything
wrong with this film.
Sure,
it’s metaphorical and it leaves the audience wondering what they just watched.
What is wrong with that?
Writing/Story: ★★★★★
I
loved the novel. It was one of the first books I ever read that truly scared
me. And the film, although very different than the novel, had the same effect.
I have read that Stephen King hated the movie and recently read the following
quote:
“The
book is hot, and the movie is cold; the book ends in fire, and the movie in
ice. In the book, there’s an actual arc where you see this guy, Jack Torrance,
trying to be good, and little by little he moves over to this place where he’s
crazy. And as far as I was concerned, when I saw the movie, Jack was crazy from
the first scene. I had to keep my mouth shut at the time. It was a screening,
and Nicholson was there. But I’m thinking to myself the minute he’s on the
screen, ‘Oh, I know this guy. I’ve seen him in five motorcycle movies, where
Jack Nicholson played the same part.’ And it’s so misogynistic. I mean, Wendy
Torrance is just presented as this sort of screaming dishrag. But that’s just
me, that’s the way I am.” ~ Stephen King, on The Shining
In my opinion, yes, the book and the film are very
different. However, just because I love the book doesn’t mean I can’t
appreciate the movie for what it is. The Shining is a classic horror film that
will, until I die, send chills up and down my spine and nightmares into my sleeping
mind.
Cinematography ★★★★★
This film has some of the best cinematography I’ve
ever seen and to say that about a horror film is pretty amazing. Most horror
films, especially these days, are all about the jump out at you scares, the blood
and gore, and less about the visual aspects of the film.
The opening scene, where he is driving up the mountain,
is stunning.
Fun fact… Although the inspiration for the fictional
hotel came from Colorado’s Stanley Hotel, Kubrick ended up using Oregon’s
Timberline Lodge for the exterior shots of The Shining’s Overlook Hotel and all
of the interior scenes were filmed in England.
The entire film, from the opening until the closing
credits, visually draws you in and leaves you on the edge of your seat in anticipation
and fear.
Character(s)/Acting: ★★★★★
Jack
Nicholson is absolutely fantastic in this film. When you first watch him, he is
oddly and uncomfortably comical. His is so light hearted in some of the scenes,
especially the terrifying ones. However, as you watch his insanity settle in,
you realize it is a great performance. One of the scariest scenes is when Jack
is stalking his wife up the stairs. He is telling her, with a crazy smile on his
face, “Wendy? Darling? Light, of my life. I’m not gonna hurt ya. You didn’t let
me finish my sentence. I said, I’m not gonna hurt ya. I’m just going to bash
your brains in. …”
Shelley
Duvall appears to be on edge and devastated throughout this entire film. I’ve
heard that Stanley Kubrick treated
Shelley very poorly throughout filming. Some people say he did it in order to
get this devastated performance, and although I don’t agree with his methods, I
have to admit it worked. Watching her, you truly do believe she is afraid… devastated…
and just completely lost.
Danny Lloyd is amazing and, in my opinion, gives us one of the all-time best child actor performances. He is natural and completely believable. I find it hard to believe that his film credits pretty much start and end with this film. However, he does make an appearance in the film Doctor Sleep, the sequel to The Shining. But, I was disappointed to find out he is playing just a spectator and not reprising his role as Danny.
FUN FACT:
There
is a photograph at the ends of the film, that shows Jack Torrancce, Jack
Nicholson’s character, smiling at the 1921 July 4th Ball at the
Overlook Hotel. It leaves the audience on edge, because it leaves you questioning
reality. Has he been there the whole time? Was he there before? The worst part
is that the questions are never answered.
When asked what the photograph
means, Stanley Kubrick said, “The ballroom photograph at the very end suggests
the reincarnation of Jack.” That would mean that Jack Torrance is the
reincarnation of a guest or someone on staff at the Overlook in 1921.
MY FAVORITE QUOTES:
“Some places are like people: some shine and some don’t.”
“I like you, Lloyd. I always liked you. You were always the best of them. Best goddamned bartender from Timbuktu to Portland, Maine. Or Portland, Oregon, for that matter.”
This
quote makes me wonder… ‘I always like you.’ Is he referring to the fact that he
knew him before, from time spent at the hotel? Plus, the mention of Portland,
Oregon… is that a nod to the fact that the exterior hotel shots were filmed in
Oregon? Just food for thought.
TO SUM IT UP:
This
film is a terrifying glimpse into the declining mental state of a man on the
edge. It’s a horror film where the lead character – a drunk on the wagon – is an
abusive husband and father. Sure, it is an extreme situation but the fact that
this type of thing can, and has, happened makes it all the more disturbing.
This
movie came out in 1980, so you’ve probably already seen it, but if not, I
highly recommend it. Especially if you
plan to see Doctor Sleep while its still in the theatres… watch The Shining
first, even if just to reacquaint yourself.
Have
you seen The Shining? If you have, let me know your thoughts, in the comments
below. If not, I recommend seeing it for yourself and forming your own opinion.
Check out my YouTube channel and the video
review below… and make sure you hit subscribe so you never miss a video.
In this New York Times bestselling thriller from the author of Lock Every Door and Final Girls, a young woman returns to her childhood summer camp to uncover the truth about a tragedy that happened there fifteen years ago.
Two Truths and a Lie. The girls played it all the time in their cabin at Camp Nightingale. Vivian, Natalie, Allison, and first-time camper Emma Davis, the youngest of the group. But the games ended the night Emma sleepily watched the others sneak out of the cabin into the darkness. The last she–or anyone–saw of them was Vivian closing the cabin door behind her, hushing Emma with a finger pressed to her lips.
Now a rising star in the New York art scene, Emma turns her past into paintings–massive canvases filled with dark leaves and gnarled branches that cover ghostly shapes in white dresses. When the paintings catch the attention of Francesca Harris-White, the wealthy owner of Camp Nightingale, she implores Emma to return to the newly reopened camp as a painting instructor. Seeing an opportunity to find out what really happened to her friends all those years ago, Emma agrees.
Familiar faces, unchanged cabins, and the same dark lake haunt Nightingale, even though the camp is opening its doors for the first time since the disappearances. Emma is even assigned to the same cabin she slept in as a teenager, but soon discovers a security camera–the only one on the property–pointed directly at its door. Then cryptic clues that Vivian left behind about the camp’s twisted origins begin surfacing. As she digs deeper, Emma finds herself sorting through lies from the past while facing mysterious threats in the present. And the closer she gets to the truth about Camp Nightingale and what really happened to those girls, the more she realizes that closure could come at a deadly price.
You probably
recognize the author’s name, Riley Sager. I recently reviewed his book Final
Girls, which I loved. It was the first book in a while that I actually gave a 5
out of 5-star review. Well, he did it again with The Last Time I Lied. It was
amazing.
STORY (★★★★★): This story follows Emma, who at the age
of 13 goes to summer camp at Camp Nightingale and bunks with three other girls
who end up going missing and the camp is shutdown. This book takes place 15
years after that event and Emma is now an accomplished artist in New York City who
secretly paints the three missing girls into all of her paintings, hidden under
layers of paint. Basically, she suffers
from anxiety because of this tragic event that happened during her childhood
and she uses her art as a form of therapy.
During
her art show, at the gallery, Franny the owner of the camp shows up and asks
her to return to camp for the camps re-opening. She wants her to come and be an
art instructor at the camp. Emma eventually decides to go hoping for closer,
and also hoping to maybe do a little investigating and find out what happened
to the three girls.
WRITING (★★★★★): The pace of this story is great.
It’s a very fast read, I think I finished it in just a few days.
The structure is
interesting, it jumps back
and forth between the past and present a lot. This allows us to not under
understand what Emma is going through today but also what she experienced 15
years prior and how that colored her world as she grew up.
This
book was so much fun to read. Sager is great at putting suspicion on so many of
the characters making it hard for the reader to trust anyone. Usually I can figure
out ‘who done it’, but with this one I didn’t know the end until the twist
happened and the answers are given.
I
really like how Riley Sager writes and I love his vivid settings and
descriptions. He uses a lot of similes in his comparisons that just paint a
wonderful picture for the reader. I love his plot twists and the big reveals –
like in Final Girls, the reveal in this one really surprised me.
I
love how Riley Sager is able to tie up all the loose endings by the end of the
book. It makes for a very clean story with no plot holes, which I like when it
comes to single story books as opposed to series. In a series, I want to be
left with a cliffhanger until the last book.
CHARACTERS (★★★★★): There are so many characters that I wanted
to trust, but couldn’t. You even find out things about the lead character,
Emma, that make you question whether or not she is the “good guy” or the “bad guy”.
Since this book is told from the perspective
of a female character, there are a number of scenes where the author, being a
man, could have really messed up. However, Sager is really good at writing from
the female perspective and capturing the emotions that come along with the
events that happen throughout the story both in the past as well as present day.
APPEARANCE (★★★★): The cover, designed
by Alex Merto with photograph by Aaron Smith, is beautiful and haunting,
although the photo doesn’t look like the character of Emma.
FAVORITE
QUOTES:
“Sometimes the only way out is through.”
“My future is quite literally a blank canvas,
waiting for me to fill it.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Riley Sager is the pseudonym of a former journalist, editor and graphic designer. Now a full-time author, Riley’s first thriller, FINAL GIRLS, became a national and international bestseller and was called “the first great thriller of 2017” by Stephen King. Translation rights have been sold in more than two dozen countries. His second book, THE LAST TIME I LIED, was a New York Times bestseller. His latest novel, LOCK EVERY DOOR, which is currently on my TO READ LIST, was an instant New York Times, Publishers Weekly and USA Today bestseller. A television adaptation is being developed by Paramount TV and Anonymous Content.
A native of Pennsylvania, Riley now lives in Princeton, New Jersey. When he’s not working on his next novel, he enjoys reading, cooking and going to the movies as much as possible. His favorite film is “Rear Window.” Or maybe “Jaws.” But probably, if he’s being honest, “Mary Poppins.”
Check out my YouTube channel and the video
review below… and make sure you hit subscribe so you never miss a video.
Disclosure: When you purchase a book using a link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission.All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, marketing, author events, etc.
Soon to be an HBO limited series starring Ben Mendelsohn!
Evil has
many faces…maybe even yours in this #1 New York Times bestseller from
master storyteller Stephen King.
An eleven-year-old boy’s violated corpse is
discovered in a town park (WARNING – IT IS VERY GRAPHIC). Eyewitnesses and
fingerprints point unmistakably to one of Flint City’s most popular
citizens—Terry Maitland, Little League coach, English teacher, husband, and
father of two girls. Detective Ralph Anderson, whose son Maitland once coached,
orders a quick and very public arrest. Maitland has an alibi, but Anderson and
the district attorney soon have DNA evidence to go with the fingerprints and
witnesses. Their case seems iron-clad.
As the investigation expands and horrifying
details begin to emerge, King’s story kicks into high gear, generating strong
tension and almost unbearable suspense. Terry Maitland seems like a nice guy,
but is he wearing another face? When the answer comes, it will shock you as
only Stephen King can.
* Disclosure: Some links within this post are affiliate links, which means I’ll get a small commission if you purchase. I only recommend products/books/tools I use and love!
MY 2 CENTS / THE
CRITICAL POINTS:
There has been so
much talk about and praise giving to this book that I just had to read it and
see if it lived up to the hype. In my opinion, yes… YES it does. I’m a huge King
fan, but I’ll be the first to admit that some of his recent work, I’m talking
in the last few years, hasn’t really been my favorite. This one however, I
really loved this book. It is a classic good vs. evil story and yet it is still
completely original and has the natural clearly Stephen King feel.
WRITING (★★★★★): Stephen King can weave words
together like a spider weaves a web. His words are beautiful, haunting, freakishly
terrifying, and they trap the reader like an unsuspecting fly never letting go
until the spider is done with him.
The Outsider has an
uneasy realness quality about it. It’s the same feeling you get when reading
the Mr. Mercedes novels. Its less about the things that go bump in the night
and more about the unexplainable murder mystery and wondering just how much of
it could really happen. It isn’t until late in the novel that King introduces his
signature supernatural twist. I won’t lie, I was waiting for it. I even
predicted who the killer really was. I’ve read enough Stephen King to know
there is always more to his stories than just the reality we live in and if you’re
looking for them, he leaves breadcrumbs – or clues – along the way.
STORY (★★★★): The Outsider is a crime novel with a classic Stephen King supernatural twist. Because it comes in at just 560 pages, this one is rather easy, quick to read. It is well paced and definitely one I would recommend to anyone who loves crime thrillers.
Stephen
King is great at making you relate to his stories. In The Outsider, he
pulls you in right from the beginning with the introduction of a horrific crime
that has been committed against an eleven year old boy. Immediately it
activates the readers sense of sympathy and compassion for the family involved
and the town in which the boy lived. It makes you biased against the man they
have in custody before you even know if he is guilty or innocent. King makes
you feel like the world he has created could be your own.
Like
most King novels, there were no weak elements in this story.
CHARACTERS (★★★★★): King has put together a great cast of characters
in this one. Like other books, many of his characters are just normal people
experiencing the horrific crime that has taken place and King allows us to
watch through their eyes. There is even a character from the Mr. Mercedes
trilogy that makes an appearance, to help with the investigation. That was
really cool. I love when he ties his novels together showing us exactly what
world or King universe, they are playing in.
APPEARANCE (★★★★): I love the cover! It
is stunning.
FAVORITE
QUOTES:
“People had the mistaken idea that Poe wrote
fantastic stories about the supernatural, when in fact he wrote realistic
stories about abnormal psychology.”
“Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever
remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.”
“Dreams are the way we touch the unseen world,
that’s what I believe. They are a special gift.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Stephen King is the author of more than fifty books, all of them worldwide bestsellers. His first crime thriller featuring Bill Hodges, MR MERCEDES, won the Edgar Award for best novel and was shortlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger Award. Both MR MERCEDES and END OF WATCH received the Goodreads Choice Award for the Best Mystery and Thriller of 2014 and 2016 respectively.
King co-wrote the bestselling novel Sleeping Beauties with his son Owen King, and many of King’s books have been turned into celebrated films and television series including The Shawshank Redemption, Gerald’s Game The Shining, It, and the list goes on.
King was the recipient of America’s prestigious 2014 National Medal of Arts and the 2003 National Book Foundation Medal for distinguished contribution to American Letters. In 2007 he also won the Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America. He lives with his wife Tabitha King in Maine.
Check out my YouTube channel and the video
review below… and make sure you hit subscribe so you never miss a video.
Also by Stephen King…
I can’t list them all, but below are a few of my favorites. Just click on the cover photo to read the description and order your copy!
Disclosure: Some links within this post are affiliate links, which means I’ll get a small commission if you purchase. I only recommend products/books/tools I use and love!
